Newt's Iowa for Dummies

Newt Gingrich, often cited by Republican voters as the smartest guy in the race, may presume he doesn’t need any advice.

But plenty of presidential candidates who thought they were smart at politics have had their comeuppance in Iowa and New Hampshire over the years. And for Gingrich, it’s the caucuses that are pivotal.

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Without a win in Iowa, his momentum-driven campaign will be pierced.

The former speaker has clawed back into the race on the strength of his debate performances. But with no forums left before Iowa Republicans vote on January 3, he now must drive his message in a different way. Having soared to the top of many polls without the guidance of the traditional “consultants” he gleefully denounces at nearly every campaign stop, he appears intent on doing it his way.

But Gingrich’s campaign has conceded the punishing attacks they’re taking from rivals are taking their toll. And his hasty decision Friday to schedule an open press conference call with Iowans Saturday and go on CBS’s “Face the Nation” Sunday suggests that he knows his decision to leave the campaign trail and return home to northern Virginia this weekend was risky.

So — just supposing Gingrich did want to listen to someone besides himself — here are three simple things he might do, culled from reporting among Iowa political observers and campaign strategists with extensive experience in the state.

Christmas in the heartland

As of now, Gingrich isn’t planning on returning to Iowa for his final pre-caucus push until Dec. 27. Scrap that and make plans to spend Christmas there. No, one ought not overtly campaign on such a sacred holiday. But Gingrich could send an important message to Iowa Republicans about who he is — and that he cares about winning their votes and is committed to the state.

“People don’t know Newt the person, only Newt the intellectual and Newt the politician,” said conservative Iowa talk show host Steve Deace. “And Newt the politician is being assailed minute-by-minute by negative ads. Iowans need to know Newt the man.”

When he was low on cash earlier this year, Gingrich stayed with his close friend, former Rep. Greg Ganske, a Des Moines physician. Why not spend Christmas at the Ganske home?

There are ways Gingrich could discreetly get attention from voters, too. How about taking his wife, Callista, to Christmas Eve mass at Des Moines’s St. Augustin, a parish attended by many caucus-goers including Gov. Terry Branstad and his family? Gingrich could alert the Associated Press ahead of time, so there is a sole photographer present who could record the image of them walking into the church. It would surely be picked up by local media starved for political news during the holiday.